UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Odds: Analysis and Prediction

UCLA is 6-5 and 8-3 against the spread in its last eight meetings with Arizona State, but the Sun Devils beat the Bruins last year to win the Pac-12 South.

In a game that is likely to mean a lot when sorting out the Pac-12 South again this year, UCLA and ASU clash Thursday night in Tempe.

Point spread: The Bruins opened as three-point favorites at Sun Devil Stadium, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

Odds Shark computer prediction: 34.9-33.8 Sun Devils

Why the UCLA Bruins can cover the spread

The Bruins are off to a 3-0 start, with victories at Virginia, over Memphis and at Texas. However, even in beating a pair of quality opponents on the road, UCLA hasn't played its best ball. And yet the Bruins outgained the Longhorns two weeks ago by over 100 yards and rushed for 217.

UCLA lost Heisman candidate and starting quarterback Brett Hundley early in that game against Texas to a non-throwing elbow injury, but junior Jerry Neuheisel, son of former Bruins QB and head coach Rick Neuheisel, came in and threw for 178 yards and two scores, earning the honor of being carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates.

Hundley has had a bye week to heal, but head coach Jim Mora has yet to comment on whether he'll be ready to start, per the Los Angeles Times' Everett Cook.

Why the Arizona State Sun Devils can cover the spread

The Sun Devils are also 3-0, and 1-0 in Pac-12 play, having put up at least 38 points every time out. Two weeks ago, ASU defeated Colorado 38-24, grabbing an early 17-0 lead and only giving up the cover as 15-point favorites by allowing a meaningless score midway through the fourth quarter.

The Devils ran for 223 yards against the Buffaloes, and while they gave up over 500 yards of offense, much of that was accumulated while ASU played soft defense with a big lead. Running back DJ Foster has already run for 510 yards this season, and the Devils have committed just one turnover through three games.

ASU hasn't had great luck against UCLA recently, but it piled up 223 yards on the ground in beating the Bruins at the Rose Bowl last year 38-33.

Smart Pick

While Hundley may or may not be ready to go Thursday, Arizona State will be without its starting QB, Taylor Kelly, who remains sidelined with a foot injury suffered two weeks ago against Colorado.

And that, plus the Bruins' advantage on defense, should be the difference. So the pick here is with the visitors, giving the points to extend their 8-3 ATS run against the Sun Devils.

Trends

• UCLA is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Arizona State.
• Arizona State is 4-2 straight up in its last six games when playing at home against UCLA.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury updates and line move updates and get the free odds-tracker app.